Kim Morgan (klmorgan@vt.edu), Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Applied Economics (540) 231-3132
MarketMaker, a web-based portal that serves as a virtual marketplace for producers, distributors, and sellers, and buyers of agricultural products, seeks to provide farm-to-fork access to participants in the food supply chain. Continue reading
Information about the Conference can be found at
https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=GOVE85E.
Interested Virginia agriculture and forestry businesses are invited to participate in these meetings with VDACS’ trade representatives from around the world:
See the VDACS press release or flier June Consultant Meeting Flier for additional details.
Note: To register for one-on-one meetings or request more information, interested Virginia agriculture and forestry businesses may contact Caitlin Clark in VDACS’ Office of International Marketing at 540.461.1246.
Martha A. Walker, Extension Specialist, Community Viability,Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Agritourism farmers, economic development staff, and local government leaders will gather on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11, at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, Virginia, to explore innovative ideas on agritourism at the 2015 Virginia Conference on Agritourism in the Creative Economy. This state level conference offers attendees two days filled with fresh ideas on event planning, marketing, regional networks, zoning and conservation, financing, legal structure, farm craft breweries, profitability outlook of wineries, bed and breakfast operations, food safety, and experience-based tips to make agritourism businesses a success in the rural economy.
Theme: Facilitating New Opportunities in the Global Marketplace
Dates: March 9-10, 2015
Location: Richmond Marriott Hotel
This conference is organized by the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Port Authority and the Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. The 2015 Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade: Facilitating New Opportunities in the Global Marketplace, the seventh such event, will be held in Richmond on March 9 and 10. It will once again feature an outstanding array of speakers from the front lines of our trade sector, individuals who are involved in this complex marketplace every day. Conference participants will hear from foreign dignitaries, private-sector leaders, trade negotiators and others on topics that are timely and relevant for 2015 and beyond.
Please register for the conference at this site.
The current conference agenda can be found here.
The New River Valley Grape Growers Association and Mingle on the Mountain Networking Dinner will take place on December 9th at the Mountain Lake Lodge. Over dinner, presentations will be provided by Dr. Gustavo Ferreira on web marketing and social media for small businesses, the Virginia agritourism industry and the profitability of tasting rooms. Randy Rose, from Virginia Tourism Corporation, will talk about the marketing services available at the state level. For additional details see:
Gordon Groover, Extension Economist, Farm Management, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
• Income taxes and related items:
Registration is now open for the 2014 Governor’s Conference On Agricultural Trade
Program, registration & lodging information available at conference web-site: http://events.SignUp4.com/GovAgTrade2014
By L. Leon Geyer, Professor, Agricultural Law, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
This fall we offer two different seminars: 1) RTRP Exam Preparation Seminar and 2) General Income Tax Seminar.
1. RTRP Exam Preparation Seminar
Three 1-day seminars offered as live instruction while space is available. RTRP Exam Prep are scheduled for three locations and held in September 2012 (Table1). These RTRP Exam Preparation Seminars are designed for those who wish to prepare tax returns for others, and must receive RTRP certification from the IRS for 2013. The course will provide practitioners with a comprehensive test-prep workbook, a bank of 1400 test questions, and unlimited practice exams for any who register, even those who do not register in time for live instruction. The course will provide online-testing tips, test strategies for the RTRP exam, and information about CE requirements for RTRP’s. Continue reading
The Role of Healthy Soil in Profitable Ruminant Livestock Production is the Focus for the 2014 Winter Forage Conferences
Gordon Groover, Extension Specialists, Ag and Applied Economics, VA Tech
Soil Health: The Foundation of Profitable Ruminant Livestock Production is the theme for the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council (VFGC) and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) winter forage conferences. We take for granted the ground under our feet and call it dirt. We should realize that quality of life is dependent on the health and quality of our soils. Farmers understand the management principles necessary to produce healthy forages, ruminants, and profits, yet many are unaware of what additional benefits are gained from managing to improve the health of their soils. This year’s program will provide training in soil health and participants will gain greater knowledge of the soil’s potential, the foundation of all agriculture. Continue reading